08/08/2011 - Slapped with probation and stripped of their 2009 ACC title, the Yellow Jackets are in a testy mood entering the season. They're also coming off their first losing year since 1996 and picked to finish fourth in the Coastal Division. This is an angry team with a lot to prove. While the school is all but certain to appeal the NCAA penalties which stem from an investigation of former players Demaryius Thomas and Morgan Burnett players are relieved the sanctions won't affect their 2011 season or postseason possibilities. "This is something we can use to motivate us to achieve bigger and better goals," defensive end Jason Peters told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "We know what we've been, and we know what we can get to again." - The Sports Xchange

08/11/2010 - The defense is much more of a mystery under new coordinator Al Groh, who installed his 3-4 scheme. Tech was abused last season for 6.1 yards per play, second-worst in the conference. And that was despite the presence of ACC sacks leader Derrick Morgan and ball-hawking safety Morgan Burnett. Both could start in the NFL this fall. Jason Peters, expected to start at one defensive end spot, said, "it will take a lot more work by all of us to really get the 3-4. Guys want to win. Guys want to compete. And that's a big factor in how quickly we want to grasp the 3-4." Peters acknowledged the unit has plenty to prove, especially with the way Georgia and Iowa ran over Tech in the season's final two games. "We need to be more physical with teams," Peters said. "We are going to play some teams that are bigger, some that are faster, some that are stronger, but what we can control is to be more physical -- to be more violent." The schedule isn't favorable. The Jackets play most of their tougher opponents, including North Carolina, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Georgia, on the road.